Car-axle bearing



UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN E. THOMAS AND' HAMILTON S. COLEMAN, OF BATESVILLE,

ARKANSAS.

CAR-AXLE BEARING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,800, dated April 21, 1891.

Application filed January 20, 1891- Scrial No. 378,435. (No model.

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, MARTIN E. THOMAS and HAMILTON S. COLEMAN, citizens of the United States, residing at Batesville, in the county of Independence and State of Arkansas, have invented a new and useful Car-Axle Bearing, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to railway-cars, and more especially to the bearings for the axles thereof; and the object of the invention is to provide improved means for mounting said bearings in the truck-frames, so that the entire bearing will have a slight transverse play therein, although it will be impossible for it to become dislodged therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in the details of construction, all as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and as illustrated on the sheet of drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of this invention complete, the outer end of the box being removed. Fig. 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the invention. Fig. 3 is a central vertical transverse section of the same.

Referring to the said drawings, the letter A designates a car-axle upon which is secured the wheels IV, and just outside each wheel is an annular enlargement E on the axle, as shown.

The letterB designates the axle-box, within the central bore of which is arranged a number of rollers R around the spindle of the axle, and at the ends of this bore are enlarge ments forming annular cavities which contain a series of balls Z, the inner series traveling against the outer face of the enlargement E and the outer series against the inner face of whatever cap or closure may be used at the outer end of the box. Although we have particularly described the bearings within this box for the spindle of the axle, (for a more definite description of which reference is made to United States Patent No. 441,715, granted December 2, 1890,) still it will be understood that we reserve the right to use any form of bearing desired.

Transversely across the upper and lower faces of the box B at its outer and inner edges are ledges L, and in the upper and lower faces of said box between said ledges are cut grooves G parallel with the axle. Plates Pare mounted above and below the box and are shorter in length than the distance between the ledges, and in the faces of these plates adjacent the block are cutgroovcs G similar to those above mentioned. Two or more balls Z are arranged in each groove, as shown. The ordinary braces 0 are led above and below the plates P in any preferred manner-4301' instance, as shown in the drawings-and vertical bolts V pass through these braces close against the sides of the plates, but loosely over the sides of the box. hen the nuts on these bolts are tightened, the plates P are drawn closely against the upper and lower faces of the box and are held thereon, so that it is impossible to dislocate them. The upper and lower (that is, the outer) faces of these plates are preferably provided with small ledges S, between which the braces O are located, and hence when the bolts are tightened these braces are prevented from dislocation. In this manner avery strong and efficient cartruck is formed.

In operation, when the car passes around curves or over switches and the axle moves longitudinally a slight distance beneath the car-body, this improved arrangement of truck allows the entire box and the roller and ballbearings, if they are used, to move with the axle between the plates, and the balls Z permit the longitudinal movement of these parts, while the various ledges prevent their displacement.

By this improvement it is also claimed that all friction between the box and axle is destroyed, and consequently no heating is possible nor lubrication necessary.

What is claimed as new is-=- In a car-axle bearing, the combination, with the axle-spindle, the box in which it is journaled, said box having grooves in its upper and lower faces parallel with the axle, and ledges across the corners of said box, of plates above and below said box, which plates are shorter than the distances between saidledges and are provided with grooves in their inner faces adjacent those in the box, balls in all said In testimony that we cl ai m the foregoing as registering grooves, ledges on the outer c0rour own We have hereto affixed our signa- 1o ners of said plates, the braces of the car-truck tures in presence of two Witnesses.

being led between said ledges, and vertical MARTIN E. THOMAS.

5 bolts passing .through said braces closely HAMILTON S. COLEMAN.

against the edges of said plates and loosely Witnessess: past the edges of said box, all as and for the PRESTON FERRILL,

purpose hereinbefore set forth. J. W. BYLER. 

